Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Stewart-Haas Racing has called a press conference Friday morning at Daytona International Speedway to announce who will drive Tony Stewart's car in the Feb. 21 season-opening Daytona 500 (1 p.m. ET, FOX), and sources confirm to NASCAR.com that Brian Vickers is the leading candidate for the job.
The three-time premier series champion Stewart is sidelined for an undetermined amount of time after injuring the L1 vertebra in his back in an all-terrain vehicle accident in the desert a week ago. Stewart underwent surgery and is back home in Charlotte, North Carolina, but no timetable has been given for his return.

In the meantime, sources confirm that his SHR team is making plans for Vickers to steer Stewart's No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet in the Daytona 500. (NASCAR.COM)Photo courtesy GETTY Images